Braves expected to bring back Kris Medlen, count on him for rotation

The Atlanta Braves have decisions to make on arbitration-eligible pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy.

While both men are recovering from their second Tommy John elbow surgery, each should return to the Braves in 2015. Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports that “Medlen’s recovery has gone smoothly so far” and that his return could “lessen the need to add more than one other proven starter” to replace free agents Ervin Santan and Aaron Harang.

Medlen is slated to get $5.8 million in arbitration while Beachy would figure to earn $1.5 million.

Between 2012 and 2013 Medlen has appeared in 82 games posting a 2.47 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP in 335 innings of work. In 46 career starts dating back to 2010, Beachy has a 3.23 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.

Both Medlen and Beachy are expected to be ready to play early in the 2015 season.